1. Former PWC MD Sujeewa Mudalige says the tourism industry’s outstanding debt has swollen to an unsustainable level of Rs.700bn due to high interest rates: asserts the situation needs an urgent response from the Govt & banking sector: also says the interest rate policy of the Central Bank hurt several sectors very badly & the tourism sector will never be able to recover from the record interest rates of 2022/23.
   
2. SJB spokesman Mujibur Rahman alleges a section of the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa Govt seem to be raising funds for the next Presidential election at the expense of the country: points out that the recent increase in the Levy on imported white sugar from 25 cents per kg to Rs.50 was done immediately after the clearing of 8,500MT of sugar by certain importers.
   
3. United Postal Trade Unions Front convenor Chinthaka Bandara says their Unions have decided to launch a 48-hour strike in response to the Govt’s decision to sell the buildings where the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya post offices are located.
   
4. Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Dr Anil Jasinghe says the Chairman of the Central Environment Authority Supun S Pathirage who was arrested by the Bribery Commission has been suspended from service with immediate effect.
   
5. All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Assn President Chandika Gankanda says the AIPPOA has called on the Govt to eliminate price controls on 60 identified medicines & implement a unified pricing formula for all medications based on their Cost, Insurance & Freight values: warns that if this is not done, SL is at a significant risk of losing access to high-quality pharmaceutical products.
   
6. Assn of Srilankan Airlines Licensed Aircraft Engineers says an unprecedented demand for skilled professionals from abroad, has resulted in an exodus of 25% from ALAE’S workforce in recent months: calls upon all stakeholders involved in the management of the national carrier to collaborate on a workable retention plan.
   
7. Dept of Information says the Govt has requested the public to update their mobile phone SIM Card registration to ensure that the details are accurate: say this is to be done ahead of a move to introduce a unique identity card to facilitate digitalization in taxation and other Govt services: SL has nearly 8mn more registered mobile phone numbers than its 22mn population.
   
8. All-time fast bowling great Waqar Younis says the performances of SL’s left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka is one of the silver linings in the SL team’s dismal performance at the Cricket World Cup 23.
   
9. SL Cricket Consultant-Coach Mahela Jayawardene attributes much of the team’s struggles to the types of pitches produced for domestic cricket in SL: laments these pitches didn’t allow batters to be in top hitting form on the flatter pitches in India: also laments the pitches didn’t teach the spinners how to handle conditions that required them to “work harder” for their wickets.
   
10. Cricket Captain Kusal Mendis says his team is apologising to the cricket-loving public of the country: insists that the team was not under any threats or external pressures to underperform during the World Cup.

On 28 and 29 October 2023, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan hosted the first ever ‘Sri Lankan Festival in Milan’ at Parco Sempione, Milan, under the patronage of the Municipal Council of Milan and in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. The event was a celebration of Sri Lankan heritage and culture, in the heart of Milan.

The festival welcomed a large number of visitors, including tour operators, media, professionals and general public, both Italians as well as Sri Lankan expatriates.

At the core of the Sri Lankan Festival was the mission to bridge cultures, promote the country among wider Italian community and create a platform for what the country has to offer to the world. The festival shared the unique beauty and diversity of Sri Lanka with the visitors in a platter that offered an assortment of colors, sounds and flavors, offering a glimpse into the rich Sri Lankan culture and heritage.

The two-day festival’s highlights included cultural performances ranging from traditional dance to music; culinary delights featuring authentic Sri Lankan dishes; an art and photography exhibition, demonstration of traditional Ayurveda and wellness treatments,  Ceylon Tea tasting, handicraft, batik and handloom craft section, display of Sri Lankan precious and semi-precious gem stones; saree parade and fashion show, an enchanting traditional manor house furnished with antique Sri Lankan furniture, Sri Lanka tourism pavilion, a photo booth, exhibition and sale of Sri Lankan products; question and answer sessions with giveaways; and video presentations reflecting diverse aspects of the country.

In addition, an Italian author and an illustrator who published the book ‘Il ponte de Adamo’ (The bridge of Adam) on Sri Lanka in Italian language, shared their fond experiences in Sri Lanka.

An exhibition consisting of paintings of an Italian illustrator and a renowned Sri Lankan artist and photographs of an award-winning Sri Lankan photographer residing in Italy created a tapestry of splendors of Sri Lanka.

Five Sri Lankan Restaurants based in Milan demonstrated live cooking of a variety of Sri Lankan savory street food and sweet delights while the Consulate General office in Milan organized a stall for Ceylon Tea tasting and sampling with the courtesy of different private brands. Ceylon Artisan Tea Association also availed of this event to promote their unique products. Sri Lankan origin children born in Italy were briefing the visitors on the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia and of other spices Sri Lanka produces at the kiosk designated for spices.

Municipal Councillor Luca Costamagna, President of the Cultural Commission of the Municipal Council of Milan attended as the Guest of Honour of this two-day festival, while a number of officials from the municipal council of Milan and the Diplomatic Corp in Milan attended the inaugural ceremony. Addressing the gathering, Councillor Costamagna stated that this was a great opportunity to discover the unique aspects of Sri Lankan culture and stated that he looks forward to work together towards further strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries. Consul General of Sri Lanka in Milan Dilani Weerakoon emphasized that ‘Sri Lankans have proven over and over again we are a resilient nation. Sri Lanka is not a country grappled with challenges only, but a land of harmonious contrasts, a land that glows with its beauty within diversities, a land with so much potential.’

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka anticipates to host this event annually and make it an integral part of the cultural calendar of Milan.

Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is eager for China’s robust support in advancing digital education through comprehensive education reforms, said Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, addressing an exclusive meeting with China’s Education Minister Huai Jinpeng, on the sidelines of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France.

Premajayantha expressed profound gratitude for China’s unwavering support throughout history, enabling Sri Lanka’s ambitious journey towards becoming a nation propelled by innovation in transformative education processes.

The meeting extensively covered the progress of educational reform initiatives and development programs within Sri Lanka’s education sector. The two ministers engaged in a detailed discussion on the challenges currently faced by Sri Lanka in its developmental endeavors, exploring international solutions.

The focus was particularly on future measures to fortify the education system, ensuring its contribution to economic development and the anticipated achievements through strengthened bilateral relations.

Highlighting recent collaborations, the Minister pointed out that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s Huawei Institute, solidifying Huawei as a strategic partner for the digitisation of education in Sri Lanka.

He also underscored the invaluable support from Huawei, acknowledging their role in offering technical advice, knowledge exchange, and providing training and infrastructure, actions deeply appreciated by Sri Lanka.

Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Police are urging the public to be cautious of misleading phone calls after a surge in reported cases of money fraud.

Scammers are making panic-inducing calls, falsely claiming emergencies like a child falling ill or someone having a sudden heart attack, the Police said in a statement.

The fraudsters instruct individuals to deposit money, targeting both relatives and workplace heads.

Some people have fallen victim to the scams, depositing varying amounts of money without verifying the legitimacy of the calls.

The police further emphasised the importance of reporting such incidents and advised the public to exercise caution and refrain from providing money or valuables to unknown callers.

Colombo (LNW): The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka has revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will present proposals for the implementation of the Digi-Econ (DIGIECON) economic concept, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

The DIGIECON initiative aims to generate a revenue of US$15 billion through digital economies by 2030, as outlined by Sachindra Samararatne, Deputy Chief Digital Economic Officer of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA).

In a significant development, the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Technology to lead the establishment of the digital economy through extensive public and private partnerships, marking a notable milestone for Sri Lanka.

Samararatne emphasised that the Minister of State for Technology, Kanaka Herath, has successfully engaged in discussions with various stakeholders, and the resulting plan has been submitted to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

These details were shared by Sachindra Samararatne during his participation in the “101 Katha” programme produced by the President’s Media Division.

Full Statement:

“When discussing the possibilities with computers, ‘E Sri Lanka’ was deliberated. By 2015, the emphasis shifted from ‘e,’ and the digital era took centre stage, particularly with the advent of smartphones. Today, activities like buying and selling have undergone digitisation, a transformative change facilitated by the internet.

In line with the President’s guidance, Digi-Econ introduced an economic concept in 2015, aiming for success by 2030. The dynamic nature of the digital landscape necessitates continuous adaptation. The inaugural step toward constructing a digital economy, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, has been taken. The potential for digitisation to contribute up to 20% to the existing economy’s growth is substantial, promising significant economic improvement. Numerous individuals in Sri Lanka have played a role in shaping the digital economy policy.

Implemented in partnership with the public and private sectors, as well as the World Bank, details about this initiative are available on the Ministry of Technology’s website. The digital economy has significantly empowered the new generation, becoming an integral part of everyone’s economic participation.

The sustainability of this policy is evident due to strong government support, attracting substantial investments. International investors consider a country’s level of digitisation when making investment decisions. Providing governmental backing for the advancement of the digital economy is crucial and establishing an institution for this purpose would be beneficial. The inception of Digi-Econ was inspired by the President’s vision, advocating for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors. The President is actively working to elevate the country’s economy by synergising these sectors.

Transforming the public mindset can accelerate economic development significantly, as evidenced by the economic progress of countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Studying their economic advancements is crucial, and we should establish an institution tailored to our model.

Many nations have propelled their digital economies through budgetary allocations. To foster the export sector, investing in the digital economy is imperative. Over the past decade, our IT organisation has collaborated with the World Bank, leading to rapid growth in Sri Lanka’s information technology industry. Specific strategies are necessary and an institutional framework with budgetary support is crucial to implementing the digital economy policy. Sponsorship empowers both the government and private sectors, positioning Sri Lanka’s economy for strength and growth.

Currently, 4.3% of GDP is allocated to the digital economy. Increasing this to 20% can robustly propel the digital economy forward. The impact of digitisation on public services and individual lives is apparent. President Ranil Wickremesinghe aims to present proposals for the Digi-Econ (DIGIECON) economic concept through this year’s budget, striving for a $15 billion income for Sri Lanka from digital economies by 2030.

The Information Technology Agency has laid the groundwork for a digital country. Building upon this foundation, envisioning a fully digitised nation is plausible. Our institutions have directed efforts to the Australian market from 2011 to 2018 and now it’s essential to establish a digital economic order to surpass the existing foundation. Strengthening the legal framework is vital.

Our institution has tailored a model based on Australia’s digital transformation, providing leadership training upon its introduction to Sri Lanka. Technical support is offered and the government is poised to provide necessary assistance. This unique opportunity demands that Sri Lanka fortify its digital economy to enhance productivity at individual and organisational levels. The qualitative impact of such productivity can swiftly advance the country’s overall economic development.”

Colombo (LNW): Prevailing showery conditions in the island are likely to continue further amidst low level atmospheric disturbance over the island, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in an advisory statement today (12).

Heavy showers above 100mm are likely to occur at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Kurunegala and Polonnaruwa districts, the statement added.

Colombo (LNW): Possible delays may be encountered by trains on the main line due to a technical malfunction of a train near Ambepussa Railway Station, as announced by the Railway Control Room.

This morning, an express train traveling from Kandy to Matara came to a halt due to a technical issue, as reported by Sri Lanka Railways.

The department is currently making efforts to rectify the situation and restore train services on the main line.

Colombo (LNW): Comprehensive efforts will be undertaken both within and outside Parliament to have the suspension on Sri Lanka Cricket, imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), lifted, Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga asserted.

The Minister emphasised that the government, under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, is actively engaging in negotiations with the International Cricket Council to revoke the ban on cricket.

He acknowledged the widespread acceptance among citizens that Sri Lanka Cricket has been marred by corruption.

Minister Prasanna Ranatunga highlighted the national significance of the issue, noting that all political parties and opposition groups in Parliament collaboratively passed a unanimous resolution to eradicate corruption within the Sri Lanka Cricket board. He emphasised that this collective action is not politically motivated.

Numerous international media outlets, including the Cricinfo website, reported that the International Cricket Council enforced the cricket ban on Sri Lanka following a request from Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva.

Minister Prasanna Ranatunga condemned Silva’s alleged request, asserting that Sri Lanka cricket belongs to the people and is not the personal property of any individual. He characterised such a request as a betrayal of the country, calling for immediate legal action by the relevant minister.

Expressing the need for unity among cricket enthusiasts to combat the corruption within the governing body, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga stated that the collective aspiration of every citizen and young cricketer in Sri Lanka is to reclaim the rightful place of cricket in the country. He assured that the government is persistently working towards achieving this goal.